private schools in fairfax, va

[Anonymous]

FCPS schools are just too big for some people. Lunch starting at 10:30am in a cafeteria with 200 other kids, class size at 28, after-school crowd control, my DC would be completely lost in the shuffle and I want her to enjoy school not feel like she's surviving.

It's just a different perspective and choice. It's not always about the highest test scores and who can go to Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS schools are just too big for some people. Lunch starting at 10:30am in a cafeteria with 200 other kids, class size at 28, after-school crowd control, my DC would be completely lost in the shuffle and I want her to enjoy school not feel like she's surviving.

It's just a different perspective and choice. It's not always about the highest test scores and who can go to Harvard.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Agreed, 16:39. Years ago before my kids were in school, we decided to buy a house in Fairfax because of the reputation of its schools. Like most people, I thought high test scores were meaningful. Over the years, I have found they really don't mean much at all -- except that the students' parents are generally well-educated and wealthy.

After several years of FCPS, we chose private. And not because we care about learning multiplication tables early, or other superficial indicators of learning. Rather, we wanted a learning environment for our kids that was NOT focused on acceleration for the sake of acceleration, or prepping for the next all-important SOL. Small class sizes, REAL learning (not rote regurgitation), creative thinking....that is what our kids need, and why we eventually chose private.

[Anonymous]

To PP, may I ask where you send your children? Am in midst of agonizing decision to keep child in smaller private vs. enrolling in more rigorous, yet MUCH larger public ES. Academics at our DC's private are not as challenging as I would like, but DC is comfortable there and has good friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely check out The Congressional Schools of Virginia. Many people have been very happy with the challenging and accelerated curriculum. Good Luck!

Way too far from Fairfax...the commute would kill you!!!

I live in Fairfax and both of my kids go to Congressional. The 15 min commute doesn't kill us and we're very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congressional-also goes up to only 8th and also a so so exmissions record

This year they have 4 kids heading to TJ. Given class size, exmissions are better than "so so" IMO.

Congressional is not too far from Fairfax. We drive every day with not issues. Its a great school with an advanced curriculum. Hard to argue with 4 admits to TJ (i.e., their exmissions are "so so"....what do yuu want?!!@$)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merritt has been a wonderful experience for my child. He has grown much more confident both academically and socially, and I am blown away by what he is learning- I don't think I was learning my multiplication tables until 3rd grade, and he started them early this year in 2nd grade. I am very pleased with the caliber of his teachers, and how open and responsive the school leadership is when I have a concern or question. I highly recommend Merritt Academy to any family looking for a good quality private school that doesn't drain the college fund!

Sorry to burst your bubble PP, but my 2nd grader at FCPS is also doing multiplication! Wow, is that your good money is going to your child learning multiplication in 2nd grade at a private school? I find these posts amusing to say the least. Why do people not think that public schools teach the same curriculum as privates? Are they so naive to think that because their child is going to a private school they are better educated? I'd be willing to put my public school kids against any private school kids and see where the shortcomings lay!

They don't have the same curriculum. Please inform yourself better. FCPS are good but they are not the best.

Fcps (and most publics in general) have to unfortunately teach to a test whereas the privates are able to focus or dive deeper into relevant subjects/topics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merritt has been a wonderful experience for my child. He has grown much more confident both academically and socially, and I am blown away by what he is learning- I don't think I was learning my multiplication tables until 3rd grade, and he started them early this year in 2nd grade. I am very pleased with the caliber of his teachers, and how open and responsive the school leadership is when I have a concern or question. I highly recommend Merritt Academy to any family looking for a good quality private school that doesn't drain the college fund!

Sorry to burst your bubble PP, but my 2nd grader at FCPS is also doing multiplication! Wow, is that your good money is going to your child learning multiplication in 2nd grade at a private school? I find these posts amusing to say the least. Why do people not think that public schools teach the same curriculum as privates? Are they so naive to think that because their child is going to a private school they are better educated? I'd be willing to put my public school kids against any private school kids and see where the shortcomings lay!

According to the the year-at-a-glance documents found on the FCPS website, "using multiplication and division facts through 9" is listed as a third grade skill... meaning that it is not expected to be taught in 2nd grade. Clearly, your child MUST be a genius and therefore you absolutely MUST broadcast it on DCUM. Congratulations, poster- you're spending your good money to live within a desirable school district so that you can send your child to what is *clearly* the creme de la creme of Fairfax County Public Schools.... You chose how you wanted to spend your money, and I chose how I wanted to spend mine... I fail to see how your situation is any different than mine...

There is no mention of genius in my post, I was just stating a fact. Also because the FCPS does not state multiplication does not mean kids in 2nd grade are not doing it. I didn't braodcast any more in my post than you did. One of my points still remains that most people who send their children to private school seem to have a superiority about it. We all have choices, what we choose to do with our choices is our business and should not be attempted to be categorized into different social classes.

[Anonymous]

This is the independent school forum and the OP is asking for info on independent schools. PP, no need to get defensive and start a pissing contest over whether public or private is better. That isn't the discussion. If a discussion about independent schools is going to make you angry, maybe you should just avoid it. No one is here bashing public schools. Take a breath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't think I have ever heard any praises for any of the private shcools in the 30+ years I have lived in the area. The public schools are very good in Fairfax county so there is little incentive to use private and I would be careful. The privates are usually loaded with boys who needed "a smaller classroom and personal attention" in other words they are ADHD and their behavior is terrible.

Been here the same length of time and yes, I agree with this assessment.

[Anonymous]

Really, this is akin to someone on the public school forum asking about information on which area to live in to be zoned for specific public schools and their rankings, and be told that private is better. That would be equally as inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Green Hedges is a really great school. Potomac, Flint Hill and so many others have so much to offer. We have loved Green Hedges.